Method and apparatus for filling cartons with delicate items

ABSTRACT

An upright, padded, helical auger rotates in a padded tubular housing to lower items onto a rotating, padded, laterally extending distributor plate disposed to receive the items emanating from the housing and to spread the items uniformly throughout a carton or the like. The items are moved by centrifugal force outwardly of the auger vane and frictional resistance of the housing padding causes the items to gently roll down the rotating vane toward the plate. Baffles carried by the auger intermediate its ends reduce the velocity of movement of the items. The distributor plate is swingable upwardly on engagement with the items accumulated in the carton to actuate mechanism for progressively moving the discharge point for the items responsive to the level of accumulated items in the carton.

United States Patent Emmet G. Slusher 2102 South, Apt 3, Lexington, Mo. 64067 5,763

Jan. 26, 1970 Aug. 31, 1971 [72] Inventor 21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING CARTONS WITH DELICATE ITEMS 59,64,235,245,24S,162,391; 193/7, 12, 32; 141/256,257, 193,195;19s 213;214/17 c, 17

Primary ExaminerTheron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Robert L. Spruill Attorney-Don M. Bradley ABSTRACT: An upright, padded, helical auger rotates in a padded tubular housing to lower items onto a rotating, padded, laterally extending distributor plate disposed to receive the items emanating from the housing and to spread the items uniformly throughout a carton or the like. The items are moved by centrifugal force outwardly of the auger vane and frictional resistance of the housing padding causes the items to gently roll down the rotating vane toward the plate.

83-32 Baffles carried by the auger intermediate its ends reduce the [56] Reterences Cited velocity of movement of the items. The distributor plate is swmgable upwardly on engagement w1th the items accumu- UNITED STATES PATENTS lated in the carton to actuate mechanism for progressively 2,601,454 6/1952 Peone 141/256X moving the discharge point for the items responsive to the 2,925,162 2/1960 De Tunco 193/7 level of accumulated items in the Carton.

I I as 1 O i il 84- w 3 i i F I a 6 68 70 l I F 1a T T t: l

PMENTEU AUG31 I971 3 m), 9A9

sum 1 0F 2 84 zuo INVENTOR. GLARR SLUSHER 32 ATTORNfiY MEN-IUD AND APPARATUS FOR FILLING CARTONS WITH lDlElLllCATlE ITEMS This invention relates to equipment for handling delicate items, and more particularly for gently lowering items such as fruit, melons or the like into cartons or other containers.

Many items are easily damaged and are therefore not readily subject to machine handling operations. On the other hand, the relatively high costs for labor often dictate that manual handling be eliminated whenever possible in favor of mechanized and consequently less expensive handling methods.

The transfer of harvested fruit from the point where it is picked to the cartons into which it is packed for shipment is one very good example. l-leretofore expensive and tedious manual carrying operations have been used to move tree grown fruit such as apples or the like from the trees to the cartons.

Although various conveyors have been used more or less successfully for movement of the picked fruit laterally from the point of picking to a point of consolidation, transfer of the fruit through the vertical distance to the ground without bruising or otherwise damaging the fruit has continued to be a problem. Relatively long conveyors of sufficient length to minimize the slope of the conveyors are costly, unwieldy, require considerably space and repeated impactive forces over the long traverse of such conveyors can bruise and otherwise damage the fruit.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide apparatus which gently lowers delicate items directly into a carton or the like without damage to the items from the lowering process.

It is another important object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for lowering items by rolling the items along a moving supporting member to minimize any damage to the items which could occur from relative sliding movement of the items.

It is a further very important object of this invention to provide handling apparatus of this type which automatically distributes the items uniformly throughout a receptacle or carton as they are discharged from the lowering apparatus.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for automatically and progressively maintaining the discharging point for the items at a uniform distance above the upper level of accumulated items in the receptacle.

These and other important objects of the invention will be further explained or will become apparent from the description, claims and drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the principles of this invention mounted on a forklift attachment for an aerial platform of the type used for orchard pruning with a carton shown in the initial filling position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view through the auger assembly of the carton filler;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view through the assembly of FIG. 2 showing a top plan view of the distributor plate;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged, fragmentary end elevational view of the distributor plate and auger shaft, parts being broken away to reveal details of construction, the initial position of the plate appearing in broken lines;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of the electrical and hydraulic circuitry for the apparatus of FIG. ll;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modified form of the apparatus of this invention on a larger scale than FIG. ll, parts being broken away for clarity and an alternate position of the auger assembly and support arm appearing in broken lines; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the electrical and hydraulic circuitry for the apparatus of FIG. 6.

Apparatus embodying the principles of this invention is broadly designated by the reference numeral 10 and is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings mounted on an aerial platform 12 of the type commonly used for orchard pruning or the like. Platform 112 includes a frame 14, wheel assemblies 16 and 18 and a hydraulic lifting assembly 20. A platform or bucket 22 is mounted at the outer end of elongated arm structure 24 pivotally coupled to frame 14 for elevating and lowering by assembly 20. An elongated conveyor 26 extends from platform 22 to a flexible conveyor 28 so that items such as fruit or the like which may be picked by a workman standing on platform 22 are transported by conveyor 26 to conveyor 28.

Platform 12 includes a forklift assembly 30 mounted on frame 14 in position for supporting a carton 32 immediately below apparatus 10.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, apparatus 10 includes an elongated, tubular, cylindrical housing 34 having a pair of vertically spaced apart transverse members 36 and 38 secured in the housing proximal the uppermost end thereof. Each member 36 and 38 mounts a bearing 40 which journal a vertically extending tubular shaft 42. The bearings 40 support shaft 42 in its position extending axially of housing 34 as illustrated in FIG. 3.

A sprocket 44 secured to the upper end of shaft 42 is powered through a drive 46 by a motor 48. A wire 50 extends axially through shaft 42 and is electrically connected at the uppermost end of the shaft to a slipring 52 mounted for rotation with the shaft. An electrical pickup brush unit 54 is mounted on a bracket 56 secured to member 36 for maintain ing electrical contact with ring 52 during rotation of shaft 42.

An inlet 58 in housing 34 is adapted to communicate with the outlet of a conveyor such as conveyor 28 (FIG. 1). An elongated helical vane 60 is mounted on shaft 42 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and it will be noted that the uppermost end of vane 60 rotates past inlet 58 as shaft 42 is rotated. The uppermost surface of shaft 60 is padded by a strip 6.2 of resilient material such as foam rubber or the like. It is preferable that the surface of material 62 have a relatively high coefficient of friction as will be hereinafter explained. Similarly, the entire inner surface of housing 34 beneath member 38 is provided with lining 64 of cushioning material which again may be foam rubber or the like. It is also preferable that the inner surface of material 64 have a relatively high coefficient of friction. The lining material 64 protrudes downwardly below the lowermost edge of housing 34 and a circumferential series of slots 66 are formed intermittently around lining 64 to present a series of circumferentially spaced apart flaps 68. The slots 66 are sufficiently wide to permit egress of items to be handled by apparatus 10.

A quadrant shaped distributor plate 70 is mounted to the lowermost end of shaft 42 in position for rotation by the shaft and immediately below the outlet end of housing 34. To this end, a laterally extending hinge 72 is secured to shaft 42 and to the lowermost edge of vane 60. A rigid arm 74 is mounted to hinge 72 for swinging about the longitudinal axis of the latter in an upwardly extending arc. A second rigid arm 76 extends substantially 90 from arm 74 and a web 78 of resilient material such as foam rubber or the like is disposed in covering relationship to arms 74 and 76 and spans the distance between the latter. Web 78 is padded at both its upper and lower surfaces.

Referring particularly to FIG. 4, it should be noted that the hinge 72 is constructed to permit plate 70 to normally hang in the slightly downwardly extending position illustrated in dotted lines. Engagement of the lowermost surface of plate 70 with objects therebelow during rotation of shaft 42 causes the upward swinging movement of plate 70 generally to the position shown in full lines in FIG. 4.

Arm 74 cooperates with an actuator 80 for an electrical switch 82 mounted adjacent the lowermost end of shaft 42 for operating the switch responsive to rotation of arm 74 when plate 70 swings upwardly. Switch 82 is interposed in an electrical circuit which includes wire 50.

Means for retarding the gravitation of items downwardly along vane 62 includes a plurality of hanging baflles 84 formed of generally flexible material. One end of each baffle 84 is secured to the bottom surface of vane 60 and the free end is formed into a plurality of separate strips 86 which terminate in relatively close proximity to the upper surface of vane 60 immediately therebelow. Thus, baffles 84 substantially span the distance between adjacent convolutions of vane 60 for retarding gravitation along the vane yet the strips 86 will deflect to permit passage of items along the vane but at a reduced velocity.

Apparatus may be operated by any available source of energy. In the embodiment illustrated, however, it is contemplated that motor 48 may be a hydraulic motor coupled with the hydraulic components of platform 12 through a pair of hydraulic lines 88 (FIG. 2). Manifestly, the speed of motor 48 and consequently the speed of rotation of shaft 42 may be regulated as required for proper handling of the items discharged into apparatus 10 through inlet 58.

It is contemplated that apparatus 10 may be operated simultaneously with the automatic operation ,of forklift assembly 30 for uniformly and gently placing delicate items into the carton 32. The hydraulic and electric components to effect such automatic operation are illustrated schematically in FIG. 5. The hydraulic pump 90 communicates with a tank or reservoir 92 through line 94 and the outlet side of pump 90 is coupled through line 96 with a three-position, four-way hydraulic control valve 98. One of the outlet ports of valve 98 communicates with the retracting port of the forklift operating as sembly 100 through a line 102. The other or lift side of the assembly 100 is coupled to valve 98 through a line 104 and a line 106.

Line 104 communicates with a normally closed two-position electrical solenoid valve 108 which is, in turn, coupled with a line 110 which communicates with a fluid return line 112 extending between valve 98 and tank 92. The solenoid 114 of valve 108 is coupled to an electrical power source 116 by a lead 118. The other side of source 116 is grounded as shown.

Wire 50 extends between contact 120 of switch 82 and one of the connections for solenoid 114. The other side of switch 82 is grounded as shown.

In the operation of apparatus 10, motor 48 is energized to rotate vane 60 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The items such as apples, other fruit or the like are directed to the interior of housing 34 through inlet 58. The items are received on the upper surface of the vane 60 which is padded to prevent injury to the items. Manifestly, the location of inlet 58 relative to the vane may be altered as necessary to reduce drop of the items onto the vane surface. Further, the number of convolutions may be increased to decrease the pitch of the vane if required for minimizing the dropping distance depending upon the nature of the items handled by apparatus 10.

In any event, it is contemplated that the slope of vane 60 shall be substantially less than 45. This relatively shallow slope reduces the tendency for the items to gravitate down the inclined surface of the vane. Rather, the rotating vane imparts a centrifugal force to the items causing them to move outwardly toward the outer edge of the vane. The friction of the padding material 62 on the items causes them to roll along the vane surface under the influence of the centrifugal force. This rolling motion minimizes slipping or sliding which is likely to cause damage.

As the items reach the outer edge of the vane, they are broughtinto contact with the inner surface of the housing padding material 64. This material not only serves to cushion the impact from the outward movement, but it also imparts frictional forces to produce a rolling motion along the rotating vane.

This rolling action continues as the items traverse apparatus 10 from the inlet to the outlet adjacent the lowermost end of the housing. Baffles 84 retard their speed of movement along the vane. This insures that the speed at the outlet is sufficiently low to minimize or prevent injury as the items are deposited on distributor. plate 70 which rotates with the vane in position to receive the items. The plurality of strips 68 projecting from the housing outlet further serve as speed retarders yet slots 66 permit discharge without clogging at the outlet.

The rotating distributor plate imparts an outwardly directed force to the items and its circular path of travel causes uniformly distribution throughout the carton.

As the items accumulate in the carton, the lowermost surface of plate 70 engages them to cause upward swinging of plate 70. This, in turn, closes switch 82 and energizes solenoid 1 14 to shift the member of valve 108 for flow of fluid through the valve. This releases the fluid pressure in line 104 to permit lowering of the forklift by gravity. This moves the level of accumulated items in the carton downwardly away from plate 70. When the plate swings back to its initial position, switch 82 is opened permitting valve 108 to return to its initial position for holding assembly and carton 32 in a stabilized position until the accumulation next reaches a level which causes the opening of switch 82 and rcinitiation of the cycle. This automatic operation insures that the discharge point remains relatively close to the accumulation level and minimizes damage to the items as they gravitate from plate 70.

Piston rod 122 of assembly 100 can be extended or retracted independently of the closing of switch 82 according to the condition of valve 98 as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It will also be readily apparent that equivalent electrical circuitry could be utilized in connection with sensing switch 82 for controlling a forklift assembly which might be powered by electric rather than hydraulic means.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a modified apparatus 124 may be identical with apparatus 10 with the exception of the means mounting the apparatus to supporting frame structure 126. Structure 126 may comprise a portion of a mobile aerial platform similar to platform 12. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the tubular housing 128 of apparatus 124 is mounted on an arm 130 pivoted at one end to frame 126. A fluid piston and cylinder assembly 132 cooperates with frame 126 and arm 130 to swing the latter for raising or lowering apparatus 124 as indicated by the broken lines in FIG. 6.

A conveyor 134 extending between a pair of rollers 136 maintains the upright position for apparatus 124 and delivers items indicated generally by the numeral 138 to the inlet 140 of apparatus 124.

The carton 142 is supported in a stationary position in its filling location immediately below the outlet of apparatus 124.

Means for raising apparatus 124 responsive to the level of items accumulated in the cartonis shown diagrammatically in FIG. 7. In this case, the pump 144 is operably coupled to a four-way open center, spring centered double solenoid control valve 146. One line emanating from valve 146 is coupled to the retracted port 148 of assembly 132. The extend port 150 thereof is coupled to valve 146 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7 and a return line 152 communicates with the tank or reservoir 154.

One side of an electrical energy source 156 is grounded and the other side is electrically connected by lines 158 to a terminal of each of the two valve operating solenoids 160 and 162. The other side of solenoid 160 is connected by a line 164 with one contact 166 of a single-pole double-throw electrical switch 168. The pole of switch 168 is grounded and the other contact 170 thereof is connected by line 172 to the second contact of solenoid 162. Line 172 is also connected with the normally open contact 174 of a single-pole single-throw switch 176 which is carried by the distributor plate of apparatus 124 in an identical position and for the purpose described in connection with switch 82 of apparatus 10.

In the operation of apparatus 124, the items such as fruit or the like are delivered to the rotating auger flight in housing 128. They are lowered into carton 142 in the same manner previously described in connection with apparatus 10. When the accumulation of items in carton 142 is sufficient to result in the closing of switch 176, solenoid 162 is energized by a circuit including source 156, line 1158, contact 174 to ground through the switch. Solenoid 162 shifts the member of valve 146 to the left as shown in FIG. 7 against the action of the centering springs so that hydraulic fluid from pump 144 is admitted into port 150 of assembly 132. This extends the piston rod, raising apparatus 124. As soon as the distributor plate (not shown) is high enough to clear the level of accumulated items in the carton, switch 176 is reopened, the valve member is centered and hydraulic fluid is returned directly through the center section of the valve member to reservoir 154.

The operator may manually raise or lower the apparatus by means of switch 168 (preferably a toggle-type switch). When it is desired to lower the unit, pole 168 is moved to engage the contact 170 to provide an energizing circuit for solenoid 162. On the other hand, the operator may lower the unit by moving the pole of switch 168 into engagement with contact 166. Solenoid 160 is energized from source 1156 by a circuit which includes line 158, solenoid 160, line 164 and switch 168 to ground. When solenoid 160 is energized, the valve member of valve 146 is shifted to the right as viewed in FIG. 7 so that the 2 high-pressure fluid from pump 144 is applied to the retracting port 148 of assembly 132. Normally, however, the pole of switch 168 is left in the neutral position during the filling operation for automatic control of the lifting circuit by switch 176 operated by the apparatus distributor plate.

The gentle handling of the items through the novel rolling action imparted to the items and the gentle lowering of the items along the moving auger vane insures the safe handling of the items as they are transferred through the vertical distance from the inlet to the outlet. The manual handling of the items as they are packed into the cartons is eliminated by the components for automatically maintaining the discharge point at a predetermined level above the accumulated items in the carton.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for placing delicate items in cartons, said apparatus comprising:

a conveyor assembly including a housing and an auger mounted for rotation in the housing, the latter having an inlet adapted to communicate with a source of said items, a vane of said auger being in disposition to receive the items at the inlet and deliver them to the outlet;

structure mounting the assembly for movement above a station for filling cartons;

power means operably coupled with the structure for effecting vertical movement of the assembly relative to said station;

means for rotating the auger means to transfer said items along the auger vane from the inlet to the outlet;

a sensing device carried by the assembly adjacent the outlet end thereof in disposition to be engaged by the items in the carton as the items accumulate after delivery into the carton through the outlet; and

control means operably coupling the sensing device with the power means for operating the latter to effect said relative vertical movement between the assembly and station responsive to the accumulation of the items in the carton.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included cushioning means in the housing and on the auger, said cushioning means being disposed to be engaged by the items for protecting the latter from damage by operation. of the auger and to promote continued movement of items along the auger vane.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said assembly extends vertically, and wherein is provided means carried by the auger and extending into the path of travel of the items on the auger vane to retard the gravitational movement of the items as they move from the inlet to the outlet.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said retarding means includes a baffle of yieldable material secured at one end to the lowermost surface of the vane, the other end of the baffle extending into said path and being free to permit retarded movement of the items along the vane.

5. The invention of claim 4, wherein the free end of said bai fie comprises a plurality of elongated flexible strips.

6. The invention of claim 2, wherein said assembly extends vertically, and whereinsaid sensing device includes a distributor plate extending laterally adjacent the outlet opening in position to receive the items thereon as the items gravitate from said outlet, means pivotally coupling said plate to the assembly for swinging in an upward are from said laterally extending position, and switch means disposed to be engaged by the plate for operating the switch means responsive to such upward swinging of the plate.

7. The invention of claim 6, wherein is included padding means carried by the plate in disposition to be engaged by the items as they gravitate on the plate for protecting the items from damage as a result of said gravitation.

8. Apparatus for placing delicate items in cartons from above the latter, said apparatus comprising:

an upright, elongated tubular housing having an inlet opening adapted to communicate with a source of said items, and an outlet at the lowermost end of the housing for movement of the items through the outlet and into the carton;

an auger mounted for rotation in the housing, said auger having an elongated, continuous, helical vane extending from the inlet to the outlet, the cross-sectional diameter of said auger substantially spanning the distance across the bore of said tubular housing, the vane being adapted to support said items on the upper surface thereof, the slope of said vane being relatively small to minimize slid ing movement of the items longitudinally of the vane; means operably coupled with the auger for rotating the latter about its longitudinal axis and at a speed tending to move the objects on the vane outwardly toward the sidewall of the housing under the influence of centrifugal force; and lining of yieldable material on the inner surface of the housing sidewall for cushioning the impact of items impinging thereagainst, the lining having a surface of frictionable material facing the auger and adapted to engage the items to impart a rolling movement to the items moved therealong by the auger whereby the items are rolled gently along the vane to said! outlet.

9. The invention of claim 8, wherein the angle of said slope is less than 45.

10. The invention of claim 8, wherein is provided padding means on the upper surface of said vane for cushioning the items supported thereon, the padding means having an upper surface of frictionable material to minimize the tendency for said items to slide on the vane and to cooperate with the lining in imparting a rolling motion to the items.

11. The invention of claim 10, wherein is included a receiver plate carried by the auger beneath the outlet, said plate extending laterally proximal the outlet for receiving the items and distributing the same throughout the carton during rotation of the auger.

12. The invention of claim ll 1, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included power means operably coupled with the housing for moving the housing and auger assembly vertically, and control means operably coupled with the power means and the plate for automatically moving the assembly upwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton during rotation of the auger.

113. The invention of claim 11, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included a frame having a movable platform disposed to support a carton beneath said outlet, power means operably coupled with the platform for lowering the latter awayfrom, the outlet, and control means operably coupled with the plate and the power means for automatically moving the platform downwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton on the platform during rotation of the auger.

14. The invention of claim 8, wherein is included a receiver plate carried by the auger beneath the outlet, said plate extending laterally proximal the outlet for receiving the items and distributing the same throughout the cartonduring rotation of the auger.

15. The invention of claim 14, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, wherein is included power means operably coupled with the housing for moving the housing and auger assembly vertically, and control means operably coupled with the power means and the plate for automatically movingthe assembly upwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton during rotation of the auger.

16. The invention of claim 14, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included a frame having a movable platform disposed to support a carton beneath said outlet, power means operably coupled with the platform for lowering the latter away from the outlet, and control means operably coupled with the plate and the power means for automatically moving the platform downwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton on the platform during rotation of the auger.

17; A method for placing delicate items in a carton from a point above the carton, said method comprising the steps of:

rotating an elongated, continuous helical vane about its longitudinal axis extending generally downwardly toward said carton;

depositing the items on the uppermost surface of the vane; imparting a frictional force from the vane to the items while they are supported on the vane to retard the tendency for the items to slide down the slope of the vane,-the latter being rotated at a speed to roll the items radially outwardly from said axis of rotation of the vane under the influence of centrifugal force; applying stationary frictional forces to the items after they are moved outwardly by said centrifugal force and while the items are on the rotating vane to roll the items down the vane; and continuing the application of said stationary frictional forces to the items for rolling the items and confining the objects to the vane until the items reach a point in relatively close proximity to the carton.

18. The invention of claim 17, wherein is included the step of imparting a laterally directed deflecting force to the items adjacent said point for distributing the items throughout the carton.

19. The invention of claim 17, wherein is included the step of moving said deflecting force in a circular path for distributing the items uniformly throughout the carton.

20. The invention of claim 19, wherein is included the steps of:

sensing the accumulation of items in the carton, and automatically moving said point relative to the carton to increase the distance between the latter responsive to the amount of said accumulation. 

1. Apparatus for placing delicate items in cartons, said apparatus comprising: a conveyor assembly including a housing and an auger mounted for rotation in the housing, the latter having an inlet adapted to communicate with a source of said items, a vane of said auger being in disposition to receive the items at the inlet and deliver them to the outlet; structure mounting the assembly for movement above a station for filling cartons; power means operably coupled with the structure for effecting vertical movement of the assembly relative to said station; means for rotating the auger means to transfer said items along the auger vane from the inlet to the outlet; a sensing device carried by the assembly adjacent the outlet end thereof in disposition to be engaged by the items in the carton as the items accumulate after delivery into the carton through the outlet; and control means operably coupling the sensing device with the power means for operating the latter to effect said relative vertical movement between the assembly and station responsive to the accumulation of the items in the carton.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein is included cushioning means in the housing and on the auger, said cushioning means being disposed to be engaged by the items for protecting the latter from damage by operation of the auger and to promote continued movement of items along the auger vane.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein said assembly extends vertically, and wherein is provided means carried by the auger and extending into the path of travel of the items on the auger vane to retard the gravitational movement of the items as they move from the inlet to the outlet.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein said retarding means includes a baffle of yieldable material secured at one end to the lowermost surface of the vane, the other end of the baffle extending into said path and being free to permit retarded movement of the items along the vane.
 5. The invention of claim 4, wherein the free end of said baffle comprises a plurality of elongated flexible strips.
 6. The invention of claim 2, wherein said assembly extends vertically, and wherein said sensing device includes a distributor plate extending laterally adjacent the outlet opening in position to receive the items thereon as the items gravitate from said outlet, means pivotally coupling said plate to the assembly for swinging in an upward arc from said laterally extending position, and switch means disposed to be engaged by the plate for operating the switch means responsive to such upward swinging of the plate.
 7. The invention of claim 6, wherein is included padding means carried by the plate in disposition to be engaged by the items as they gravitate on the plate for protecting the items from damage as a result of said gravitation.
 8. Apparatus for placing delicate items in cartons from above the latter, said apparatus comprising: an upright, elongated tubular housing having an inlet opening adapted to communicate with a source of said items, and an outlet at the lowermost end of the housing for movement of the items through the outlet and into the carton; an auger mounted for rotation in the housing, said auger having an elongated, continuous, helical vane extending from the inlet to the outlet, the cross-sectional diameter of said auger substantially spanning the distance across the bore of said tubular housing, the vane being adapted to support said items on the upper surface thereof, the slope of said vane being relatively small to minimize sliding movement of the items longitudinally of the vane; means operably coupled with the auger for rotating the latter about its longitudinal axis and at a speed tending to move the objects on the vane outwardly toward the sidewall of the housing under the influence of centrifugal force; and a lining of yieldable materIal on the inner surface of the housing sidewall for cushioning the impact of items impinging thereagainst, the lining having a surface of frictionable material facing the auger and adapted to engage the items to impart a rolling movement to the items moved therealong by the auger whereby the items are rolled gently along the vane to said outlet.
 9. The invention of claim 8, wherein the angle of said slope is less than 45*.
 10. The invention of claim 8, wherein is provided padding means on the upper surface of said vane for cushioning the items supported thereon, the padding means having an upper surface of frictionable material to minimize the tendency for said items to slide on the vane and to cooperate with the lining in imparting a rolling motion to the items.
 11. The invention of claim 10, wherein is included a receiver plate carried by the auger beneath the outlet, said plate extending laterally proximal the outlet for receiving the items and distributing the same throughout the carton during rotation of the auger.
 12. The invention of claim 11, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included power means operably coupled with the housing for moving the housing and auger assembly vertically, and control means operably coupled with the power means and the plate for automatically moving the assembly upwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton during rotation of the auger.
 13. The invention of claim 11, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included a frame having a movable platform disposed to support a carton beneath said outlet, power means operably coupled with the platform for lowering the latter away from the outlet, and control means operably coupled with the plate and the power means for automatically moving the platform downwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton on the platform during rotation of the auger.
 14. The invention of claim 8, wherein is included a receiver plate carried by the auger beneath the outlet, said plate extending laterally proximal the outlet for receiving the items and distributing the same throughout the carton during rotation of the auger.
 15. The invention of claim 14, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, wherein is included power means operably coupled with the housing for moving the housing and auger assembly vertically, and control means operably coupled with the power means and the plate for automatically moving the assembly upwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton during rotation of the auger.
 16. The invention of claim 14, wherein said plate is pivotally coupled to the auger for upward swinging movement, and wherein is included a frame having a movable platform disposed to support a carton beneath said outlet, power means operably coupled with the platform for lowering the latter away from the outlet, and control means operably coupled with the plate and the power means for automatically moving the platform downwardly responsive to upward swinging of the plate from engagement of the plate on an accumulation of items in the carton on the platform during rotation of the auger.
 17. A method for placing delicate items in a carton from a point above the carton, said method comprising the steps of: rotating an elongated, continuous helical vane about its longitudinal axis extending generally downwardly toward said carton; depositing the items on the uppermost surface of the vane; imparting a frictional force from the vane to the items while they are supported on the vane to retard the tendency for the items to slide down the slope of the vane, the latter being rotated at a speed to roll the items radially outwardly from said axis of rotation of the vane under the influence of centrifugal force; applying stationary frictional forces to the items after they are moved outwardly by said centrifugal force and while the items are on the rotating vane to roll the items down the vane; and continuing the application of said stationary frictional forces to the items for rolling the items and confining the objects to the vane until the items reach a point in relatively close proximity to the carton.
 18. The invention of claim 17, wherein is included the step of imparting a laterally directed deflecting force to the items adjacent said point for distributing the items throughout the carton.
 19. The invention of claim 17, wherein is included the step of moving said deflecting force in a circular path for distributing the items uniformly throughout the carton.
 20. The invention of claim 19, wherein is included the steps of: sensing the accumulation of items in the carton, and automatically moving said point relative to the carton to increase the distance between the latter responsive to the amount of said accumulation. 